GARY Cahill is at the centre of a contract dispute with Villa which effectively robbed the 20-year-old of his Premiership debut last weekend.

GARY Cahill is at the centre of a contract dispute with Villa which effectively robbed the 20-year-old of his Premiership debut last weekend.

The Sheffield-born centre-back was due to face Portsmouth at Villa Park until he was hit with an ultimatum by manager David O'Leary.

Cahill was told if he did not sign a new deal he would be withdrawn from the squad.

And that is precisely what O'Leary did to Cahill, who made 32 appearances on loan at Burnley last season and has made one full appearance for Villa - against Wycombe in the Carling Cup in September.

Cahill signed professional forms for Villa in July 2004 and went on to become a member of the FA Youth Cup final side a few months later.

He still has 16 months left on his current contract but has so far been delaying signing on the dotted line as he seeks for an improvement in personal terms, which would net him something in the region of #8,000 a week.

Villa will be hoping they can complete negotiations swiftly and there is little doubt Cahill will eventually sign.

He rose to prominence on the summer tour of Scandinavia and has been chased by a host of Championship clubs, including Wolves, who have enquired about taking him on loan this season.

O'Leary said Cahill was "not match fit" for the Portsmouth match after a week earlier suggesting he would play.

Cahill injured his ankle in a behind-closed-doors game against Notts County in October, but has returned to play two reserve games in recent weeks against Sunderland and Bolton.

Meanwhile, O'Leary will be sending a near full-strength team to Blackburn this weekend with Olof Mellberg returning to the side.

Only Mark Delaney will be missing with a knee injury and the Welsh international is also now thought to be touch and go to make the following midweek FA Cup return at Manchester City.